EBN- British newspapers coordinated their front pages to unite their voice against government plans for potential exemptions to be added to copyright law for AI models, raising concerns about the impact of AI on the creative industries.
Media campaign kicks off
The Daily Mail, Daily Express, The Times, The Sun, The Eye, Daily Star and The Mirror took part in the campaign, as well as some regional newspapers.
The proposals would allow tech companies to use copyrighted material from creators and publishers without having to pay, obtain a license, or compensate creators for the use of their work.
In response, publishers launched the Make It Fair campaign, which saw newspapers put covers on the outside of their front page – criticising the government’s advice – organised by the News Media Association (NMA), and supported by the Society of Editors (SOE).
The letter said: “The government wants to change UK laws in favour of big tech platforms so they can use British creative content to power their AI models without our permission or payment. Let’s protect the creative industries – it’s only fair.”
It was timed to coincide with the final day of government consultations on Tuesday.
“Copyright is fundamental to publishers’ ability to invest in high-quality, trusted journalism,” said Owen Meredith, CEO of the National Publishers Association, and AI should be no different.
“We are calling on the great British public to support our campaign and demand that the government ensure that innovators are able to secure the right financial reward from AI companies to ensure a sustainable future for both AI and the creative industries,” he added.
Illegal newsgathering
In addition, the News Media Coalition (NMC), a non-profit organisation whose members include national and international publishers and news agencies, will submit a written submission to the government consultation on Tuesday, warning of the existential threat to newsgathering and news operations from the unauthorised use of high-quality journalistic content by AI.
The campaigns come alongside a protest from more than 1,000 musicians – including Kate Bush, Annie Lennox and Damon Alborn – who released a joint silent album, featuring recordings of empty studios and recording spaces, aiming to represent what would happen to human musicians if AI were allowed to use copyrighted works.
